PEORIA MAGAZINE June 2022

Bishop noted that Chamber members like The Picket Fence Foundation and Helping Hands Resale Shoppe provide quality shopping while giving back to the community. The Picket Fence Foundation uses its gift and garden center to provide jobs for adults with disabilities. Helping Hands Resale Shoppe turns donated goods into funds for local charities and ministries. Beyond shopping, Chillicothe offers multiple leisure opportunities. Mayor Hughes enjoys Shore Acres Park, where visitors can hike trails or play on the pickleball courts. The opening of the Shore Acres Pool in Junemarks the start of summer for many Chillicothe families. You can’ t mention tour ism in Chillicothe without the Memorial Day extravaganza Summer Camp, held at Three Sisters Park, which has been known to draw up to 20,000 people. The multi-day, multi-stage music festival just wrapped its 21st year with a variety of musical acts and field day competitions. Fun-seekers can catch up on Summer Camp activities all year through via the Summer Camp blog and podcast. June also brings the Chillicothe Carnival, one of several events hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. The

Chamber’s schedule starts in January with the Chillicothe Chocolate Tour. In the summer, the events move outdoors to include a golf outing and the HLC River Jaunt. “HLC is the Henry, Lacon and Chillicothe River Jaunt. It’s a 16.4 mile jaunt with canoes and kayaks,” Bishop explains. “This is the 22nd year. We start in Henry Harbor…and it’s one of the neatest things I’ve ever seen because there’s over a hundred kayaks and canoes.” The kayakers paddle four miles from Henry Harbor to the Lacon Marina for a break. After lunch, they get back in the water to travel to the finish line at Shore Acres Park. A few weeks after HLC, the city pairs with other river communities for the Bridge to Bridge River Drive, a weekend event that connects Peoria Heights, Chillicothe, Lacon, and Spring Bay. Travelers crisscross over the McCluggage Bridge and Lacon Bridge to enjoy activities in each town. Last September, Chillicothe hosted a fishing tournament, a community games competition, and a craft fair as part of the event. Bishop says she is hoping to expand fun opportunities for the collaboration this year.

While the entertainment is excellent, Mayor Hughes hopes visitors take time to enjoy Chilicothe’s beautiful scenery. Sharp-eyed bird-watchers can catch sight of an eagle or white pelican at Chillicothe BottomsWildlife Sanctuary, where some 152 bird species have been identified. The city recently added two telescopes to the observation tower at Eagle Landing to help nature-lovers get closer to wildlife. When asked how these improvements and collaborations benefit Chillicothe, Beadles said it’s all about creating an experience. “When people are traveling, they want something memorable. They want an experience. We’ve got the businesses. We have the retail and the food. We’re setting up for some great things to come.” To find out more about Chillicothe, visit www.cityofchillicotheil.org/.

Laurie Pillman is an author and freelance writer/editor, based in Peoria

JUNE 2022 PEORIA MAGAZINE 75